The Architectural Barriers Act requires access to facilities designed, b
uilt, altered, or leased with federal funds. It marks one of the first effo
rts to ensure access to the built environment. The Access Board develops an
d maintains accessibility guidelines under this law. These guidelines serve
as the basis for the standards used to enforce the law. Four federal agenc
ies are responsible for these standards: the Department of Defense, the Dep
artment of Housing and Urban Development, the General Services Administrati
on, and the U.S. Postal Service.